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asiad referees send proposal to IBF:

KUALA LUMPUR: The referees at the Busan Asian Games have submitted a proposal to the International Badminton Federation (IBF) to improve on the line calls in future badminton tournaments.

Malaysia’s Yap Tee Loy, who was the deputy referee to Singaporean Hendry Ee at the Asiad, said yesterday that the two-hour walkout staged by Indonesia’s top player Taufik Hidayat during the men’s team final against South Korea because of bad line calls should not be repeated.

“A line judge may make a mistake inadvertently or blatantly but we have proposed for amendments that a neutral umpire may overrule a line call in consultation with the referee,” said Tee Loy, who is also the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) tournament manager.

“We have also proposed for television replays for dubious calls if the facilities are available. The replays should be done immediately after a disputed call.”

Under IBF rules, a line judge’s decision is final. The referee and umpire cannot overrule it even if the referee is a witness to the wrong decision.

“The chair umpire with the consultation with the referees can replace line judges for not paying attention to the match or making wrong decisions. But removing them is not good enough,” said Tee Loy.

The referees are not the first ones to appeal for a change in rules. After the controversial tie between South Korea and Indonesia at the Asiad, the secretary-general of the Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC), Datuk Punch Gunalan, and Indonesian chief coach Christian Hadinata also voiced their concerns and opinions.

They made calls for neutral line judges and the use of television replays.

“The linesmen are always local because of cost factor. It is expensive to have neutral line judges,” said Tee Loy.

He added that they had sent their proposals to the IBF’s Court Officials Committee. The proposals will be forwarded to the IBF’s council, who will decide on whether they should change the rules.